St. Landry democrat., 1887-02-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.

The sensation of the past week on
Capitol Hill was the Presidents veto of
one of the most reckless specimens Of
legislation that was ever presented TO
any Congress 1.-THE Universal Pen
sion BILL Not that his action was a
surprise to those who have watched his
course in regard to pension matters, tor
ready that he has the courage to 90 his
duty. But, as Representative Springer
said, no man ever filled the office of
President before Mr.. Cleveland, who
would have had the boldness to veto
such bill which had passed both
houses of Congress by more than two
thirds majority, and which had so pow
erful sentiment at the back OF it.
Echoes of congratulation have been
coming back to the President from all
parts of the country, and he has beard
plenty of censure from the mere part-
sans who have learned to regard the
war as their personal legacy. But he
will have the praise, approval and graf
itude of the great mass of the people of
all sections, the tax-paying civilian and
the honest veteran, of all true patriots
both of the North and South.
The reading of the Presidents mes
sage explaining his reasons for the veto,
commanded close attention from the
House of Representatives Many Con-
gressmen are now unable to say what
their future action will be until they
have heard from their constituents. 1t
is thought, however. that the bill could
not be passed over the veto, for many
members who voted for it have been
surprised since at the condemnation it
received from the people among all
parties.
Should this remarkable pension bill
become law, it would give pension
to every ex- Union soldier who can not
earn the sort of living he would like-in
other words, to every man who was il
the Federal army and is yet alive. 1t
would give pension to every Grunkard
and shiftless loafer who was in the
army for ninety days, even if his disa-
bility is due solely to his own vices. 1t
would give a premium to mendicancy
and Incidence, for nothing conviuces a
man that he is unable to work ike
showing him that he can live without it,
And then think of the millions after
millions Of the peoples money that
such bill would waste. 1t would
double the pension burden of the
United States, making it S150,000,0o0 a
year. 1t would make the roll call of
pensioners larger than the Federal
army ever was and four times as large
as the whole standing army of England.
The Republican members of Congress
have made but little comment upon the
subject. The veto message seems to
have taken their breath. Representa-
tive Stalnecker, Of New York, thinks
the message is the ablest state paper of
Mr.. Cleveland's term. Said lie, cit
takes up the bill, section by section,
and just tears it to tatters. In stating
his reasons for the veto, he has built
fort around him which it will be pretty
difficult to Storm
A western congressman, who was
speaking OF the Presidents courage
said: "my admiration for him was
never great until now. He has turned
his face against a sentiment before
which all parties have bowed, and If he
is sustained by Congress, this incident
may be the turning point of a popular
reaction against the abuse of the whole
pension business.
Another enthusiast over the Presi-
dents pluck said, 1t is the greatest
and the best thing that Cleveland ever
did. It required just such man as he
to put firm foot down against sys-
TEN Of legislation which threatened to
swamp this Government. Represent
tative Oates, of Alabama, remarked
that this veto would make the South
solid again.
Indeed there was no limit to this
pension business and there appeare,. to
be nobody with the courage enough to
say where it should stop. OF course
the President has not fixed a final limit
to this kind OF pernicious legislation,
but ne has shown himself equal to the
situation. He has drawn the attention
OF the country to the abuse in such
way. that the people who pay taxes will
bepin to think it over.
II he had sl@ned this Pauper Pension
bill, he would doubtless have been
called upon durin~ the wear to sign
supplementary bili-a bill pension:ng
all men who wanted to enlist in the
Federal army, but who were physically
unable or We're needed at home by de-
pendent families. Why notP If all
men who enlisted, and who want more
for support than their present incomes,
are entitled to pensions, why should
not all men be equally deserving of
nansinns Who waufal tn n,1;.A a-l